If you are new to the forums, you must register a free account before you can post. The forums have a separate registration from the rest of www.chronofhorse.com, so your log in information for one will not automatically work for the other. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are the views of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of The Chronicle of the Horse.

Horse pointing toes down

Today I saw a blue-black Percheron mix NYPD horse. His rider was still mounted. He slowly backed up to the curb and cocked his left hind up, bracing it against the curb. Then to my amazement he slowly slid his right hind up the curb, felt it and cocked it up beside the other. When done he was resting both feet against the curb, balancing his feet. Wish I had taken a picture. When done, he was standing on his "tip toes", like a ballerina, "en pointe".

So, is this indicative of something? I am not knowledgeable enough to say anything, but am a bit concerned.

sore

The fact the horse does this with both hinds points to hurting and probably hocks. Even though most lameness is in the foot itself the next most common problem is hocks. A history of what the horse has been used for (?over used) can help indicate the problem......and a horse standing like that is a problem. Percherons can have problems with soft pasterns, not uncommon to see them 'dropped', and possibly they may try to get relief by toe standing.
One of the Parelli horses I saw at Road to the Horse stood like that, he would carefully back up to an edge and stand on his toes, he was saddled at the time and during the performance looked/traveled sore.